Mateo Hodo came to Maine from Albania with his family as a teenager. His first NMS interview was in April 2017. To learn about his life and their business called Coffee ME Up click here (NMS 135).On this program Mateo talks about staying awake and focused on living a loving and connected life. He spreads his joy to all those he meets in both small and substantial ways. He is motivated to make the world a more loving place as he and his wife welcome their first child this fall.Mateo is working on a plan (still in the making) to bring connection and unity to this community and hopefully beyond, over time. He believes that love changes everything and uses his life force to make that happen, to the best of his abilities.

James was a child from a "mixed marriage" because his father was Protestant and his mother was Catholic. He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland and raised in Donegal, Ireland. His family's lives strattled both of the countries, a mere four miles between the two towns.James is entering his second year of his Master's degree in Social Work from University of New England and also works in social services in Southern Maine. He has been a youth worker for most of his adult life, as well as many other jobs. Additionally, he and his wife have a side business called Maine Inflatable Pubs, renting out a 20x40' inflatable pub around the state, sharing some Irish fun. In this interview James also refers to historical information about Ireland's famine (FMI: click here).

Ayman Nijim was born in Gaza, Palestine, attended university in Baghdad, Iraq and came to the US in 2012. He has gotten his Master's degree in Intercultural Service and applies his knowledge of organizational management and trauma recovery professionally. Ayman is also a human rights activist and has spoken at numerous universities around this country raising awareness about the political situation in his home in Gaza.FMI: Contact Ayman at aymanijim@gmail.com.Music: Fairouz sings "Ya Tayr"

Claude is the Executive Director of ProsperityME (formerly Community Financial Literacy) now located in Portland and Lewiston offices. They offer an array of services to the refugee and immigrant community including, but not limited to, classes on basic finances in the USA, workforce development, access to education, and small business support. While Claude has been in Maine for 22 years, he has never forgotten what it is like to try to get started in a new country. In previous interviews he has shared about his life story NMS 015 and his organization that helps newcomers NMS 140.

Music: Mike Kalambay sings "Belela" (This musician is from DRC and will be on tour in Maine later this month).